Junior is retiring from full-time driving in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series after this season. He talked at Dover recently about how much he is looking forward to having children.

“I’m excited to start a family, and I hope I’m fortunate enough to do that with Amy,’’ he said. “We definitely want to do that. And it would be weird not being a race car driver if I have a daughter or son, I think about that, would they understand what I’m telling them or what I did for a long time. I’m hoping to find out all that stuff soon.’’

Brad Keselowski, who won Sunday’s race at Talladega Superspeedway in a No. 2 Team Penske Ford with a paint scheme honoring Earnhardt Jr., sent congratulations on Twitter, as the social media well wishes started pouring in regarding the joyful news.